Backhouse completes £12m Ibstock brickworks sale to Vistry
Earmarked for up to 243 homes, the 20-acre St Helens site has been vacant since the former brickworks closed in 2011.
Backhouse Developments, which has owned the Ibstock Roughdales site during that period, has completed the sale of the plot to Vistry for £12m.
Luke Backhouse, chairman of Backhouse Developments, said: “I will be happy to finally see this site built out.
“It is good to get the deal done after 13 years of hard work.”
Of the 243 planned properties, 123 homes will be operated by Onward Homes. These homes would be available on a variety of tenures including social rent and rent to buy. The remaining 120 open market homes will be sold by one of Vistry’s retail housebuilding brands.
The project will also feature a new public open space with a link to the adjacent Daisyfield Brickfields Woodland.
Gemma Hardy, managing director at Vistry Merseyside and Cheshire West, said: “It is fantastic to be taking on such an iconic development for St Helens. The site has faced challenges in the past, but with our newly approved plans, and thanks to our partnership with Onward Homes, we are ready to deliver a high-quality, mixed-tenure development that truly reflects the potential of this unique location.
“This project will not only provide much-needed housing choice but will also revitalise the area, creating a lasting legacy for future residents and the wider community.”
The former Ibstock Roughdales brick-making factory was demolished following its closure, leaving the land vacant.
The site recently secured funding from the latest tranche of Liverpool City Region’s Brownfield Land Fund allocation, which is used to unlock difficult sites in the city region.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “This is great news for St Helens and its community. I’m thrilled to see Vistry Group leading the way in delivering these much-needed homes and creating vibrant communities. The investment in affordable housing and public spaces is vital, and it not only addresses housing needs, but also enhances the quality of life for residents.
“This project marks a significant step forward in our commitment to transforming brownfield sites across the Liverpool City Region. By revitalising the former Ibstock site, we’re addressing housing shortages but also investing in the long-term sustainability of St Helens and setting a precedent for future developments across the region.”
Work could start on building homes on the former Ibstock Roughdales brickworks site before the end of the year. The first homes are expected to be complete in October 2025.
Plans for the site’s redevelopment were designed by Liverpool-based DV Architects. The Planning Studio is the scheme’s planning consultant. SCP is the transport consultant.
Stephen Heverin, growth and regeneration director at Onward Homes, added: “We are pleased to be partnering with Vistry once again, working together to improve the quality and choice of housing in the local area.
“As well as providing the most affordable rental options, this development will also support people onto their local property ladder and help them put down firm roots, where they may otherwise have felt priced out of home ownership.”
